Trailer-coupling device



Feb. 8, 1927.

0. G.'EBERT TRAILER COUPLING DEVICE Filed Sept. 15. 1926 ass s Feb. a, 1927.

UNITED STATES r rein E OSWALD G. EBEBT,'OF HAMLIN, TEXAS.

'rnmnaconrnme Davies.

Application filed. September 1a, 1926. Serial a. 135,104.

4 thereof in such a manner that the trailer will properly follow, or track, the vehicle. A particular 'object of the invention is to provide a simple supporting member which may be quickly attached to the axle of the ,j trailer in a practical and efiicient manner.

A further object of the invention is to fprovide a novel manner of supporting and I i fastening the pivot bolt.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

- The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a. coupling constructed in accordance with my invention,

attached to the front axleof a trailer,

Fig. 2 is'an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, and

14 is fastened against the rear side of the axle by said bolts which pass therethrough and receive nuts 15. By tlghtening the nuts 15 the bracket 10 is rigidly fastened at the center of the axle andheld against play in any direction.

The plate 12 of the bracket is provided at its central portion with a counter-sunk aperture-I16. A pivot bolt 17 is passed upwardly through the aperture from the bottom of the plate and has its counter-sunk head 18 welded or otherwise secured in the aperture.

A keeper bar 19 has a central aperture 20 receiving the reduced screw-threaded stud 21 of the bolt 17. The keepenbar is fastened on the shoulder of the bolt by a nut 22 s re ed down on t sa d b r a d a cot r key 23 passed through the end of the stud. The keeper bar' has depending spacing bosses 24 and its ends resting on the plate 12.

'Bolts 25 extending up through the plate,

bosses and'bar receive nuts 26, whereby said bar is fastened on the late and its intermediate portion is space above the plate.

A steering lever 27 is pivoted intermediate its ends on the bolt 17 between the plate 12 and the bar 19. This lever is free to swing in a horizontal plane. On the connecting rod B of the steering gear 'of the trailer, I mount a pivot lug 28. This In 'has a central. eyereceiving the rod B an is fastened by a set screw 29. At its upper portion, it is provided with a circular 'flange 30having a central stud 31 screw-threaded at its upper end. The lever 27 has an eye 32 receiving the stud and is confined by a nut 33.

The lever 27 at its forward end is provided with a transverse sleeve 34 receivin a hinge bolt 35. The hinge bolt is pivoted in the rear ends of connecting straps 36 fastened to a tongue 37 or any other suitable draw bar connection. The tongue 37 is suitably fastened to the automobile, truck or other vehicle.

The particular advantage of this'invem tion'is its simplicity, durability and ease with which it may be installed and replaced. The use of the clam bolts 13 and the plate 14 is superior to -bolts, because a much better clamp is obtainable and the bracket may be more rigidly fastened tothe axle. The use of the pivot bolt-17 instead of an integral boss or stud enables an easy replacement in case of breakage. The-one piece lug bolt reduces the number of parts and makes for simplicity;

Various changes in the size and shape of the different parts, as well as modifications and alterations, may be made' within the scgp e of the appended claims.

hat I claim, is: 1. In a trailer coupling, a supporting bracket comprising a vertical plate and a horizontal plate, clampbolts penetrating the vertical plate, a clamp keeper plate mounted on said clamp bolts, a pivot bolt jmounted in the horizontal plate, a lever pivoted on the horizontal plate around the pivot bolt, means for retaining the lever in place, a draw bar member hinged to the front end of the lever, and a pivot lug pivoted to the rear end of the le r.

2. In a trailer coupling, a Supporting stud extending from the pivot bolt through bracket comprising a vertical plate and a the keeperbar, a lever pivoted on the pivot 10 horizontal plate, clamp bolts penetrating the bolt between the keeper bar and the horizonvertical plate, a clamp keeper plate mounted tal plate, a draw bar member hinged to the in said clamp bolts, a pivot bolt mounted front-end of the lever, and a lug bolt pivoted in the horizontal plate, a keeper bar having to the rear end of the lever. spacing bosses at each end and bolted to the In testimony whereof I affix my signature. horizontal plate, a reduced screw threaded OSWALD G. EBERT. 

